Things That Bloom In Winter

Oh my goodness, I’ve been under the weather and in bed for several days (sinuses, blech!), but I’ve missed blogging so much and I feel like I’ve got enough energy to share a short post and some pictures of our baby here today.

His delight and enthusiasm during this season in particular keeps me smiling even when I’m sick. 🙂

I think winter will always energize him in a unique and special way. Not only because it brings with it the joy of celebrating Jesus, or the excitement of Santa & presents, but because he seems to subconsciously tie it to his very first good memories of being here at home. I don’t know that for sure, but I sure seem to associate winter with the feelings that came along with our first real breakthrough as a family too.

It was actually the end of February of 2017 when the transition turbulence first receded and trust & attachment finally started to settle in. Six months after we came home together in August of 2016. Not a long time in the grand scheme, but I think it was long and hard enough (at the time) to make us all feel extra moved by this season we are so grateful to find ourselves in again.

Truth be told, December and January of 2016 and 2017 (months #4 and #5 post homecoming) were probably the most challenging for the three of us, but I look back at them now, through the lens what was actually happening that first Christmas and how much has changed, and I know that all that turbulence wasn’t the falling apart of us. It was the transformation of us.The coming together of us. And just like a seed- we, too, had to come completely undone together to achieve our greatest expression as a family. That winter, our shell started to crack. Things we held inside came out and everything changed.

To someone who doesn’t understand growth (ourselves very much included at the time) that kind of unfurling can look like complete destruction. But I’m here to tell you- the blooming that starts beneath the surface, the mysterious and messy blooming of a seed, is such an important and meaningful part of the process too.

Be safe and well, friends. I hope to be back on my feet and posting regularly again soon!

Layla

PS- All of the incredibly precious photos in this post were taken by sweet Hello Baby Co. If you are in central Alabama and are in the market for family, baby or kiddo pics, we can’t recommend her services highly enough! 🙂

Layla, I am so sorry to hear of the sinus issues. Your absence caused me to pray for whatever it was! So glad it was not the anxiety. This post is absolutely precious. God blessed Steevenson when He chose you as his mama.

What lovely photos! I LOVE the one of him and Santa! I had to zoom in to look at his hand resting in Santa’s😢 gosh what a sweet moment. Hope you are feeling bettter each day, thought of you during that thanksgiving storm and hoped you were back home safe and sound!

Oh hello there! I’ve missed you. Glad you’re feeling better. Such a beautiful post about your growth and development as a family. Steevenson is getting SO BIG. He’s so precious and such a fortunate little boy to have such a Christ centered home and family. Merry Christmas to you all.

There was that moment. Ten months after our daughters arrival from S. Korea in 1981, still interrupted sleep at night, crying and all the pieces not fitting, we had a break through. “The spot”….. holding her next to her crib with her head on my shoulder. She lifted her head, drew back, looked deeply at me for a good measure of time, her body relaxed as she again put her head against my shoulder. She slept. We all slept. She never cried out in the night again. She knew and trusted she was home.